How to Open the Local Group Policy Editor in Windows 11

by | Nov 21, 2023 | Windows

Windows Group Policy Editor is a useful utility. It is used to edit the group policy settings on Windows. It is only available in the Home and Professional Windows Edition. It allows the users to edit the system settings that are unavailable to the normal users. Furthermore, it allows the administrators to set different security policies for computers and for users. The Local Group Policy Editor helps in enabling/disabling important features, control app behavior, and manage sign-ins.

How to Launch the Local Group Policy Editor on Windows 11 (10 Ways)?

These are the methods that can be used to open the Local Group Policy Editor in Windows:

  • Method 1: Use the Start menu to Launch Local Group Policy Editor
  • Method 2: Use the Run Application to Launch Local Group Policy Editor
  • Method 3: Use the Command Prompt to Launch Local Group Policy Editor
  • Method 4: Use File Explorer to Launch Local Group Policy Editor
  • Method 5: Use PowerShell to Launch Local Group Policy Editor
  • Method 6: Use Task Manager to Launch Local Group Policy Editor
  • Method 7: Use Control Panel to Launch Local Group Policy Editor
  • Method 8: Use System32 Folder to Launch Local Group Policy Editor
  • Method 9: Use the System Settings to Launch Local Group Policy Editor
  • Method 10: Use Desktop Shortcut to Launch Local Group Policy Editor

Method 1: Use the Start menu to Launch Local Group Policy Editor

The first and most easy method to open the Group Policy Editor is via the Start menu. The start menu is the primary location in Windows from where the system settings, installed apps, and files can be accessed. Check the mentioned steps to open the Group Policy Editor:

Step 1: Launch the Start menu by clicking on its button.

Step 2: Search Edit group policy and press the Enter:

Method 2: Use the Run Application to Launch Local Group Policy Editor

Run dialog application can be used to launch the Group Policy Editor. Run dialog application is a utility tool that is used to launch the apps and files by just entering their path address.

Step 1: Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog.

Step 2: Type gpedit.msc and press Enter:

Method 3: Use the Command Prompt to Launch Group Policy Editor

The Command Prompt is a Windows application that is used to perform administration related tasks on Windows. Check the mentioned steps to open Windows Group Policy Editor using CMD.

Step 1: Hit Windows key to launch Start menu.

Step 2: Search and open Command Prompt as an administrator:

Step 3: Type gpedit.msc and hit the Enter:

Method 4: Use File Explorer to Launch Local Group Policy Editor

File Explorer can be used to launch the Windows Group Policy Editor. To do so check the mentioned steps.

Step 1: Press Windows + E to open the File Explorer application:

Step 2: Type gpedit.msc in the search bar and press Enter:

Method 5: Use PowerShell to Launch Local Group Policy Editor

Windows PowerShell application can be used to launch the Group Policy Editor. PowerShell is a Windows administrative scripting command line shell.

Step 1: Press the Windows + X shortcut key to open Quick Access Menu and select Terminal to open PowerShell:

Step 2: Type gpedit.msc and hit the Enter button to open the Group Policy Editor application:

Method 6: Use Task Manager to Launch Local Group Policy Editor

Task Manager is a Windows most important component which is used to monitor, manage and troubleshoot various tasks on Windows. Check the mentioned steps to launch the Windows Group Policy Editor using Task Manager.

Step 1: Right-click on the Taskbar and select Task Manager:

Step 2: Select Run new task:

Step 3: Type gpedit.msc and press the Enter key:

Method 7: Use Control Panel to Launch Local Group Policy Editor

Windows Group Policy Editor is the Control Panel application. So, it can be launched through the Control Panel application.

Step 1: Open the Start menu:

Step 2: Search and open Control Panel app:

Step 3: Search group policy and hit Enter.

Step 4: Select the Edit group policy option under Windows tools:

Method 8: Use System32 Folder to Launch Local Group Policy Editor

The System32 is the most important folder in the Windows operating system. It contains the important files and folders that operate Windows.

Step 1: Press the Windows + E to launch File Explorer.

Step 2: Navigate to the C: > Windows > System32 folder:

Step 3: Locate and double-click on the gpedit file to open Group Policy Editor:

Method 9: Use the System Settings to Launch Local Group Policy Editor

Windows System Settings can also help in launching the Group Policy Editor.

Step 1: Press Windows + I shortcut to open system Settings:

Step 2: Type gpedit.msc in the search area and hit the Enter key:

Step 3: Select the Edit group policy from the search result:

Method 10: Use Desktop Shortcut to Launch Local Group Policy Editor

The Local Group Policy Editor desktop shortcut can be created, so that users can launch it more easily. To create the desktop shortcut of the Local Group Policy Editor application, check the below given steps.

Step 1: Right-click on the empty space of Desktop and select New > Shortcut:

Step 2: Type gpedit.msc and click Next:

Step 3: Type the Edit Group Policy name and click the Finish button:

Conclusion

To launch the Windows Group Policy Editor, first, open the Start menu. Type Local Group Policy Editor and open it. Additionally, the Local Group Policy Editor can also be launched using Command Prompt, PowerShell, Start menu, Task Manager, Settings, or Control Panel. Read the above guide to learn the practical ways to launch the Local Group Policy Editor using a variety of methods in Windows 11.